Different Fate Of Local Musicians And World Musicians Enforce Idealism On The Stage

Roger Waters dalam tur konser "Us and Them" (Instagram/@rogerwaters)

We have seen how YouTube-core influences the curation process in organizing music shows through the article "Curating Music Show is Called YouTube-core". Still part of VOI's signature Writing Series, "Disturbing Musical Events". In this article, we will look at the musicians' point of view, how they choose which stage they want to be on. However, of course, this privilege only applies to big bands overseas. For local bands, boro-boro.

We chose Eet Sjahranie as a conversation partner. That night, he invited us to his residence in Cimanggis, Depok, West Java. Eet is definitely the right choice. Since the 90s, he has been poor across the music stage. The number of concerts or festivals that he explores is not so much. The number he no longer remembers when we asked him.

The legendary rock band frontman Edane seemed enthusiastic when we opened a chat about the chaotic Lokatara Fest 2019, left behind by its six headliners. How could I not, concerts and music festivals are Eet's life. His development is very important to him. Although Eet was not terribly surprised when we described a number of other concerts and festivals that have experienced similar cases at Lokatara Fest 2019.

Simple. Call concerts and music festivals an industry. So, the industry has just been built in the true country. There are many complex issues that this industry needs to learn. About the colonization by foreign bands, one of them. Not an unfounded comparison. Eet realized that the foreign music industry had advanced first. However, building a music industry with an inferior spirit is clearly wrong.

And this matter was happening before his eyes. From stage to stage he performed, Eet often saw how local music event organizers often forced domestic musicians to compromise with their needs on stage. "For example, we are. Edane has two Marshall riders, two heads for each cabinet," said Eet, Thursday, November 28.

"Well, often. When we arrive at the venue, the organizers say, 'Mas, there is only one Marshall, this, that,' that way. And we can't also protest, 'I want Marshall, period,' I can't. if we are, because of its current position the industry makes us (the band) seem to need a stage, "he added.

This kind of situation is unhealthy for Eet. Especially with the number of music organizers offering domestic musicians at incredibly low prices. This kind of market logic is very unfortunate. Because, this condition places musicians as parties who depend on organizing music events. In fact, according to him, there were so many music festivals or events that at the beginning of their operations depended on local bands.

"Whereas in the past (the organizers) were whining asking us to help play at the event ... Then, for example, they were negotiating. Our prices were low, for example, they were negotiated cheaply because they felt we needed the stage. Actually bargaining is normal. But if it's in that condition , if at first you asked for help, it's a different story, boss. And now there are many like that, "said Eet.

Eet often encounters different treatment when the organizers face foreign bands. Once again, he emphasized that there was no problem with how the organizers treated foreign bands. However, what must be realized is how the organizers should treat local musicians properly.

Yes, if many organizers say their event is aimed at supporting the advancement of Indonesian music, Eet's statement should not be a difficult matter to materialize. Do not allow colonization in this industry. Colonialism which ironically was carried out by the nation's own children against the children of other nations.

"I do not understand where the problem is. Only, most of us are foreigners who ask, nod ... Colonialism, indeed. That's the language I really want to convey," said Eet.

Idealism

Different conditions clearly occur in world bands. Big names have cemented their position as an important part of the industry. "This condition is rarely experienced by foreign bands. They, when talking about riders or technical needs on stage, if something is not met, they can really refuse ... We have to penetrate there desperately. Because we like it or not. the industry is still looking to it, "said Eet.

Never mind technical talk. The world's big bands are even able to stand by their ideals in this industry. Coldplay, for example. November 22, they just released a new album titled "Everyday Life". Unusually, Coldplay was not able to hold a world tour during the release of this album. The reason is, Chris Martin Cs wants to raise awareness of the environment in the world.

In an interview with the BBC, Chris admitted that he was working on how a concert tour could have an impact so that the environment in the world would be better. “I am happy that other artists are starting to participate. However, really accepting blame is what we do. It's okay, I agree with that, ”explained Martin in an interview quoted by VOI, Monday, November 25.

The British band of genius Radiohead was first on the path of social movement. The frontman, Thom Yorke cemented this reputation. In a search on Radiohead's biographies, we can see this trend. In various media coverage to the official website, Radiohead often emphasizes their political participation.

In the late 1990s, for example. At that time, Radiohead took part in the Tibet Liberation Concert which was held in New York (1997), Washington DC (1998), and Amsterdam (1999) with several well-known rock bands such as Blur, U2, and Noel Gallagher from Oasis. The main objective of the event is to raise funds for the Tibetan independence movement.

The media coverage and fan presence of these bands aims to gather public awareness of the plight of the Tibetan people. Radiohead helps convey a political message to their fans. Even so, not all of the fundraising concerts they attended. Radiohead is actually quite picky as well.

For example in 2005. At that time Radiohead was invited to join the Live 8 festival for the Make Poverty History campaign organized by the NGO Oxfam. The campaign aims to provide assistance in 40 countries with weak economies. However Thom Yorke refused to join.

"The problem at hand in particular is political and structural in nature. It cannot be fixed by holding a rock concert. I feel that is inappropriate because it is clear that I think the situation will be hijacked for political purposes," said Yorke written by Guillaume Clément in Activism and Environmentalism in British Rock Music: the Case of Radiohead (2017).

Radiohead in Lollapoza, New York, USA (Instagram / @ radiohead)

In addition, Yorke's skepticism towards traditional political practices and fear of being manipulated or "hijacked" by practical political interests was also seen when he refused to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2005. Even though the meeting was held to hold a discussion program related to environmental issues that have an impact on change Earth's climate.

Apart from political movements, recently in 2015 Radiohead - represented by Yorke - also signed the climate change petition. The petition contains demands for the United Nations to change the climate change management scheme. Other musicians who signed included Coldplay, Yoko Ono, My Morning Jacket, Robert Plant, and David Gilmour.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, Radiohead has never performed once. Many people think that one of the reasons is because in Indonesia there are still many who employ underage children. Although there is no official statement yet, this case is difficult to deny. The reason is, Yorke is known to focus on highlighting children's issues. The proof is in one of the repertoire of their phenomenal album "OK Computer and In Rainbows" (2007).

"Having a child," Yorke told Spin magazine (2003) "has made me care about the future and about how things in the world are controlled," York said. "I wonder what kind of future our children will have," he added.

The statement has to do with the birth of her son Noah in 2001. Phil Rose's book, Radiohead and the Global Movement for Change: "Pragmatism Not Idealism" (2016) reveals Yorke's concern for children was entrenched as she reconsidered her relationship with fans Radiohead's growing number.

He has set the standard of responsibility as a person who has great influence on young people. Perhaps that is the reason Radiohead is reluctant to hold concerts in a country that still employs children.

The more senior and more militant was Roger Waters. The Pink Floyd frontman even reprimanded Radiohead to cancel their concert in Israel. It's nothing, as a band known to be hard on humanitarian issues, the appearance of Radiohead will obscure Israel's role in many humanitarian conflicts, especially regarding the occupation of Palestinian land.

"My answer to people who say we should go out there and sit around a campfire and sing songs is no. We shouldn't have done that ... Anyone tempted to do that, like our friends. at Radiohead, if only they'd really educated themselves. I know Thom Yorke complains about how insulted he feels, people say he doesn't know what's going on, "Waters said on his Facebook page.

But Waters's advice was ignored. Radiohead continued to hold its concerts in Tel Aviv Israel in 2017. Yorke said that the concert he held did not mean to legitimize the Israeli government. He said that the concert was only a closing series of his concert tour at that time.

Waters' attitude cannot be separated from his background, which is one of the initiators of BDS (Boycott, Divesment, and Sanction). BDS is an alliance consisting of various professional backgrounds. What is quite obvious is the filmmaker Ken Loach, the novelist Alice Walker, including Waters. The group is actively behind every concert cancellation in Israel.

BDS is said to be inspired by the campaign to overthrow the apartheid regime in South Africa to end the Israeli occupation of a number of Palestinian territories. For BDS, the music industry must be subject to the same scrutiny as any other industry operating in Israel.

Waters' militancy to boycott concerts in Israel cannot be doubted. Last year he also canceled a concert by musician Lana Del Rey. Waters said he begged Del Rey not to appear at the Meteor Festival. Rogers asked him whether the US dollars paid by Israeli promoters could replace support for the Palestinian people.

Waters seems to have a special interest in issues in the Middle East. Apart from being the catalyst for the Israeli boycott movement, Waters has also highlighted the White Helmet group in Syria. Waters thought the gesture was fake. "The White Helmets are a fake organization that only exists to create propaganda for jihadists and terrorists," Waters said, as quoted from Alaraby.co.uk.

Waters's comments came a day after a US-led strike hit Syria in retaliation for the regime's alleged use of chemical weapons in the city of Douma. Waters is arguably quite consistent in voicing his attitude. In 2016, Roger Waters was invited to a donation-raising event organized by Saudi billionaire Hani Farsi. The donation event is to support the White WH. However Waters did not respond to the invitation.

Next Article: A Guide to Understanding All the Problems in a Music Event